[T-HAWK81]

Hi all. I’m considering purchasing a 6’x12’ cargo trailer. Can my 3.2L V6 TrailHawk handle this kind of tow?

I’d be traveling from the Midwest across the Rockies into the PNW, and then back in the autumn. I made the trip no problem last year pulling a loaded up 4’x6’ utility trailer, but this would obviously be a much bigger tow this time around.

A couple of concerns I have are 1) the trailers I’m looking at do not have anything like electronic brakes built in and 2) I’m thinking the height of the cargo trailers I’m looking at are going to create quite a drag and decrease in mpg.

I’m considering going with a smaller trailer too, like 5’x10’, if appropriate. I don’t know much about towing, but want to learn and of course be safe along the way. ~ Any insights will be appreciated.

 

[Rand]

is this enclosed cargo trailer?
what is the frontal area?
should have braked axle if over 1500 or 2000lb for most states(and your owners manual)

 

[Flybynightcru]

I regularly pull a 14x7, tandem axle Haulmark loaded with my Can Am, and associated gear grossed out to around 3300-3500lbs with my 2.0T Trailhawk. I would recommend anything over a gross vehicle weight of around 1200lbs should definitely have some kind of braking, preferably electric...Towing anything is definitely a learned skill, and requires some different driving habits. Speaking from experience of towing stuff for a living for 40 years, our Cherokees are definitely not the greatest tow vehicle to begin with, but it can be safely done by staying within the towing parameters, the right hitch setup for what you're pulling, and some basic towing skills...😎

 

[T-HAWK81]

is this enclosed cargo trailer?
what is the frontal area?
should have braked axle if over 1500 or 2000lb for most states(and your owners manual)

Hi Rand, thanks for your reply.
Yes, an enclosed trailer.
The trailer would be 6' wide (7.5' with fenders), 6'-6.5' tall interior height (8' exterior), and have a 18"-24" V-nose in the front.
I will need to talk to guys at the shop about adding some brakes to the trailer.

Edited to say: I wasn't a 100% sure what you meant by frontal area, but am reading up on it now.

 

[T-HAWK81]

I regularly pull a 14x7, tandem axle Haulmark loaded with my Can Am, and associated gear grossed out to around 3300-3500lbs with my 2.0T Trailhawk. I would recommend anything over a gross vehicle weight of around 1200lbs should definitely have some kind of braking, preferably electric...Towing anything is definitely a learned skill, and requires some different driving habits. Speaking from experience of towing stuff for a living for 40 years, our Cherokees are definitely not the greatest tow vehicle to begin with, but it can be safely done by staying within the towing parameters, the right hitch setup for what you're pulling, and some basic towing skills...😎
View attachment 218672

That's a nice looking trailer, Flybynight. I like the aluminum tongue (no worries for rust) and seamless appearance. It's great to see someone regularly and successfully towing an even bigger trailer than I am looking at myself.

I see now, I simply have to get a braking system installed on my trailer if I go that size. That makes sense. Even though they might not be the best tow vehicles, I do like that our Cherokees can tow upto 4500 lbs. So we have some room for work and fun.

 

[Rand]

looks fairly acceptable. you can probably spec it with a braked axle.
You will need to add a brake controller to the cherokee
tons of posts on brake controllers.
expect low teens for mpg ... max.

 

[Flybynightcru]

That's a nice looking trailer, Flybynight. I like the aluminum tongue (no worries for rust) and seamless appearance. It's great to see someone regularly and successfully towing an even bigger trailer than I am looking at myself.

I see now, I simply have to get a braking system installed on my trailer if I go that size. That makes sense. Even though they might not be the best tow vehicles, I do like that our Cherokees can tow upto 4500 lbs. So we have some room for work and fun.

Fuel mileage definitely takes a huge hit, and manual "Auto Shift" is your best friend. Keeping the tongue weight under 350lbs can be a challenge sometimes, but proper load distribution is definitely one of those "learned skills" I was talking about. I have a 50 gallon fueling station, and a compressor mounted in the nose of mine, and with a full load of fuel, I have to load the Can Am just far enough inside so the ramp door will close, which puts the side by side almost perfectly centered over the axles. If I had a do over, I would have had the axles pushed forward about 8-10 inches. My tongue weight still averages about 325lbs with the fuel tank full, which is pretty damn good...😎

 

[SkipW]

Fuel mileage definitely takes a huge hit, and manual "Auto Shift" is your best friend. Keeping the tongue weight under 350lbs can be a challenge sometimes, but proper load distribution is definitely one of those "learned skills" I was talking about. I have a 50 gallon fueling station, and a compressor mounted in the nose of mine, and with a full load of fuel, I have to load the Can Am just far enough inside so the ramp door will close, which puts the side by side almost perfectly centered over the axles. If I had a do over, I would have had the axles pushed forward about 8-10 inches. My tongue weight still averages about 325lbs with the fuel tank full, which is pretty damn good...😎

Little harder than when you had 53' to play with? 😁

 

[Flybynightcru]

Little harder than when you had 53' to play with? 😁

It's actually 55 and change with the lift gate...😉😎